How can optical illusions save lives?

Is the painted image able to force someone to freeze in place? As it turned out, the optical illusion placed on the roadway of the road can act as the savior of people's lives. The Ministry of Transport of India plans to resort to the creation of new pedestrian crossings. While the idea is still under development, however, photos of future "zebras" can already be viewed on the Internet.

Three-dimensional tricks

As you know, drivers in India are dashing and unprincipled. They move on the roads as if the rules for them are not written. But this often affects pedestrians, especially young children. To save ordinary citizens from the drivers is called a three-dimensional image, which forms in the minds of drivers the certainty that they have created real magic before them. Would you be able to drive past this graphic stunt? Even being the most notorious rider, you would stop and rub your eyes. Where else do you see such rafters floating in the air?

Where did the idea come from?

Local authorities express the hope that optical tricks will force local drivers to be fascinated to stop, at least until they get used to them. According to statistics, most road accidents are related to speeding on the roads. And the idea was borrowed from the outstanding German artist of the Middle Ages, Hans Holbein the younger. In the 16th century, the master created the world's first masterpiece that can make people think about saving the soul. It was then that the technology of optical illusion was first transferred to canvas.

An ominous surprise, hidden in the picture

Immediately on several parameters it was an unusual canvas. Giant for that time dimensions (the picture was published in 1533) further emphasized the mystery and appeal of the composition. Oil paints and oak boards make art lovers believe that the plot, in the center of which two high-ranking dignitaries are depicted, will develop. Then the gaze slowly shifts to the cabinet, which is filled with various objects. On the second tier there are scientific adaptations, on the first - musical instruments.

And here a fan of painting, for the first time examining this painting, expects a real surprise: there is still something underneath the cupboard. But if you look at the composition at a right angle, the origin of this elongated and flattened object becomes completely incomprehensible. And only moving to the left, examining the canvas with a peripheral vision, one can look into the eye in surprise. In fact, there is a cracked skull with a terrible grin.

Symbol of medieval art

Previously, painters and sculptors used this symbol in their works, if they wanted to encourage people to think about saving their souls. The perfection of the world and the benefits of righteous living are the main lesson of such medieval creations. Almost every artist at that time placed in his works an image of the skull. Probably, this simple device has already become boring to the public and has lost its frightening functions. That's why Holbein decided to encrypt the message in the form of an optical illusion.

When a person is caught unawares

This technique in painting, as well as the three-dimensional "zebra" on Indian roads, is designed to catch a person by surprise and leave an indelible impression in the soul. In scientific circles, optical illusion is called anamorphosis, and the effect itself is achieved by displacing a certain element in the image. And at first the displaced part remains inaccessible for perception, however soon the eye builds a complete picture, and the latent image is easily guessed.

That's right, behind an indistinct flat spot on the canvas of a medieval master the animal's grin of death comes through. But the astonished driver, frightened of the penalty of heaven, slows down at the pedestrian crossing. Probably, this idea will really save the life of a careless pedestrian.